This quick and easy cranberry orange sauce features just a few simple ingredients, but the flavor is amazing! It's perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner and holiday meals and only takes 20 minutes to make!
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
Homemade cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries is so quick and easy to make, and so much better than the canned stuff. This version is flavored with orange juice and zest to help balance the tart flavor of the cranberries and the sweetness of the sugar.
If you need to bring a side dish to a potluck Thanksgiving, this is the one to pick! You won't have to worry about keeping the dish warm or reheating when you arrive. And it can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
Ingredients
- 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries
- Juice and zest of 1 large orange (around ¼ cup of juice)
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- Optional: 1 cinnamon stick
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine the orange juice, zest, water, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add in the cranberries and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture is thickened.
- Let the sauce cool completely to room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator before serving.
How to Remove the Skin
If you want a smooth cranberry sauce without skin, you can remove it after cooking the sauce. The best way to remove the cranberry skins is with a fine mesh strainer. Set the strainer over a bowl and press the cooked sauce mixture through the strainer using a wooden spoon and then discard the skins.
Can I Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry sauce can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Can I Make Cranberry Sauce Ahead?
The cranberry sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Recipe Variations
- Spiced Cranberry Sauce - If you like a spiced cranberry sauce, you can also toss in a cinnamon stick when you add the cranberries to the simmering liquid. Once the sauce has cooled, remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
- Cranberry Apple Chutney - If you like apples in your cranberry sauce, add a peeled and diced apple when adding in the cranberries. Chopped pecans are another great addition for a crunchy texture.
More Holiday Side Dishes
📖 Recipe
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 large orange, zest and juice , around ¼ cup juice
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Combine the orange zest, juice, sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves then add the cranberries. Simmer until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture has thickened, around 10 -15 minutes.
- Let the sauce cool completely to room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
Leave a Reply